Aahana Swrup
The Hallmark romance show ‘When Calls the Heart’ builds a vivid and warm world within its small town of Hope Valley through its myriad of compelling characters with riveting storylines. The show’s season 12 is no exception as it finds the protagonists in new chapters of their lives, allowing them to tackle new opportunities, mysteries, and challenges. However, as much as Elizabeth, Rosemary, and Bill make up the town’s foundation, secondary characters—native town residents and new additions alike—are also notable contributors to the story. This season, the arrival of Ava—a mysterious newcomer—brought incredible intrigue and entertainment to the narrative. However, episode 9, ‘Buried Treasure’ seems to have finally brought somewhat of a conclusion to her tale. However, what exactly does this mean for her character’s future on the show? SPOILERS AHEAD!
Ava is Leaving Hope Valley With a New Perspective
Ava entered the narrative as a charming new stranger who seemed to be shrouded in hidden mysteries. While she claims to be an heiress—with a story startlingly similar to Elizabeth’s—one can’t help but doubt that assertion when she keeps wracking up many unpaid bills. Then there’s the enigmatic puzzle of her stolen luggage, which eventually turns up but is filled with belongings fitting for a man rather than a stylish heiress such as Ava. Inevitably, it’s this same luggage that becomes a catalyst in unraveling the woman’s con. After a suspicious telegram arrives for Ava, noting that another gentleman seems to have lost a trunk identical to hers on the same train, it compels Rosemary to put on her amateur detective hat.
Anyone can see something is evidently off with the new heiress in town, and the luggage fiasco only maximizes these suspicions. Therefore, once Hickam and the others catch her attempting to get rid of the trunk, Ava has no other choice but to spill the beans. Predictably, the woman isn’t who she claims to be, and her cover has indeed been borrowed from Elizabeth’s experiences, which are penned down in her book. In reality, Ava is a working woman who used to unwittingly help mentalist Clive Maxwell pull off his fake stints of magic. Eventually, the fake magician compelled her to aid him in a trick in which she would faint on the stage, and he would employ the distraction to pickpocket his audience.
However, this terribly backfired after Clive accidentally made a Pinkerton agent his target. Yet, in the aftermath, he threw Ava under the bus, forcing the woman to go on the run from the detective agency. For the same reason, she’s currently on the lam in Hope Valley. Once Elizabeth and the others learn about her backstory, they sympathize with her situation and even extend a helping hand. Thus, with the help of Mountie Nathan, Ava is able to find a way to clear her name. If she testifies against her former boss, the Pinkertons agree to overlook her past, allowing her a fresh new start. As a result, thanks to Nathan’s efforts, Ava can finally return to her old life. For now, her future destination remains outside of Hope Valley, at the court, where she’ll prove her innocence.
Tiera Skovbye’s Time on When Calls the Heart May Have Come to an End
Unfortunately, as Ava’s storyline wraps up on ‘When Calls the Heart,’ it seems like it may be time for actress Tiera Skovbye, who embodies the role, to take her leave from the project. Ava’s role within the narrative so far has been strictly confined to her own mysterious backstory. Although she has formed some relationships with the townsfolk, no specific dynamic stands out as a deep bond—either romantically or platonically. Similarly, while her one-off performance on Rosemary’s radio play certainly allowed her skill to shine, she hasn’t found any real calling in town either. In fact, if acting is Ava’s true passion—which seems more than likely—she will find an abundance of opportunity to follow that path outside of the small town.
Therefore, it seems like there’s no real reason for the fake heiress to return to town after wrapping up her legal issues with the Pinkertons. Even her overflowing unpaid tabs have been taken care of by Rosemary, who takes a shine to her towards the end of the road. For the same reason, it would be fair to assume Skovbye will be departing from the show, at least for now. ‘When Calls the Heart’ has a penchant for welcoming old characters back even after they have left Hope Valley. For instance, this season saw the brief return of Kayla Wallace’s Fiona Miller. As such, there’s always a possibility that Skovbye might return in future seasons.
Read More: Is Kavan Smith’s Lee Coulter Leaving When Calls the Heart?
